Pauls Ramble
Jul 07, 2022
Good afternoon from Valley United Co-op!
Our weather has finally turned “Normal”! Our crops, while extremely behind in terms of historical progress, continue to S-L-O-W-L-Y improve. Wind has been our biggest hurdle the past couple of weeks. From extreme winds causing damage to the young plants to the constant wind not allowing farmers to spray, it’s been a struggle. The last few days have been good for spraying and progress has been made.
According to the USDA’s June acreage survey, U.S. farmers planted 89.9 million acres of corn this year. That’s down from 93.3 million last year, but slightly more than 89.5 million acres estimated in March. Soybean acres are estimated at 88.3 million acres. That compares to the March intentions of 91 million acres and last year’s 87.1 million acres. Spring wheat acres are at 10.4 million. That’s down from the March report of 11.2 million and well below last year’s 11.4 million acres. USDA is also going to re-survey planted acreage in Minnesota and the Dakotas. These numbers will be released in August.
Grain markets have plummeted the past couple of months, particularly the past couple of weeks. Soybeans and wheat are down $3.00/bushel and corn down $1.50 from their early spring highs. Commodity prices are back to levels BEFORE the Russia/Ukraine conflict started in late February. It appears the funds, etc., have decided that Northern Hemisphere crops are “made” and that the tight supply situations have been resolved.
Longer-term weather forecasts continue to point towards above normal temperatures and below normal moisture through July, August, and September. Factors in the drop are resumption of some grain being exported out of Ukraine, weather in the corn/bean belt has been good for the possibility of a large crop and recession fears. While it appears many missed the opportunity to sell some grain at higher levels, you can’t blame them for being cautious. Our late, wet spring didn’t give farmers a good feeling about selling any crop. Hopefully we get a bounce so farmers can lock in some grain at a better level.
A Russian cargo ship has been detained by Turkish customs officials. Ukraine’s ambassador to Turkey said Russia stole this grain shipment from Ukraine. An investigation is underway. There will be certainly more of this as the days and weeks go by.
Robin Stene, Valley United’s COO retired from a long and productive career in the Ag business. (45 years) including the past 42 years in Halstad. He was instrumental in building the Alton Grain Terminal shuttle facility in Hillsboro and Alton Agronomy storage facility at the same location. Robin played a key role in the merger between Reynolds United Co-op & Halstad Elevator Company. After the merger, Robin agreed to assume the COO role with Valley United Co-op and was key in the building of our new fertilizer facility between Hatton and Portland.
His last day at Valley United Co-op was June 30th.
We will be having an open house to honor Robin July 14th at the HRC from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Supper & refreshments will be served. We are welcoming the entire community along with his friends in ag to celebrate his career and wish him well. Thank you Robin
Prices at Reynolds today: Soybeans $12.70, Corn $6.30, and Wheat $8.40.
Last weekend was the 4th of July. Coming out of the pandemic I have realized how much we missed being together hugging, laughing and being a family. When it was part of our day-to-day, we just expected it. But since it was deprived from us for so long, we understand the importance of it. We spent time with family at the lake and yes it was somewhat chaotic! I loved it. Kids constantly running in and out of the lake home, eating all the time, swimming and screaming. The demand for rides on the jet ski, cooking burgers, pontoon rides, movies, and malts were endless. I was exhausted by Monday night but happy!
I’m closing my “Ramble” with some words of ADVICE!!
HOW TO STAY YOUNG
1. Throw out nonessential numbers.! This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctor worry about them. That is why you pay him/her.
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the park, to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity. . . . . . AND ALWAYS
REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
Have a great balance of the week!
Paul
If God brings you to it, he'll bring you through it.............
